June 1, 2026
PharmaPatents
New USPTO “Pre-Docketing Notice” Pilot Program Could Streamline Examination
The USPTO announced a new pilot program that could streamline examination, improve examination efficiency, and help the USPTO use its examination resources more efficiently. The “Pre-Docketing Notice” pilot program also offers significant benefits to patent applicants, providing a timely opportunity to trim portfolios to save costs or align portfolios with current commercial objectives, which may have shifted in the years since the patent application was filed.